One of the most influential bands in the past decade has got to be
The Killers. We’ve seen hundred of shows and so many of the contemporary bands covered the Killers…. Which is funny because the Killers wears their influences on their sleeves and are known for playing “killer” cover songs themselves. Recently, due to Morrissey’s last-minute cancellation at the KROQ Christmas show, the Killers covered an excellent version of ‘This Charming Man’. But it shouldn’t surprise anyone, as their singer Brandon Flowers is a massive Moz fan.

Anyway, The Killers’ fifth album Wonderful Wonderful (their first in five years) came out September 22nd on Island Records. The album’s lead single, ‘The Man’, has already topped the Triple A radio chart, as well as countless radio charts around the globe.

What is exciting is that this is the Killers’ first real tour since 2013 (we caught Brandon Flowers in September 2015 and he played plenty of Killers’ songs, but it’s not the same thing).

Show up early to check out special guest Australia’s Alex Cameron. Alex Cameron and his six-piece band will be playing music from their album Forced Witness (Secretly Canadian).

The 2018 Destroyer U.S. tour starts tomorrow. Destroyer (aka Dan Bejar) will be performing songs from his 12th album ken, which came out last October 20th on Merge Records.

In regards to the Suede-inspired name, Bejar explains: “Sometime last year, I discovered that the original name for "The Wild Ones" (one of the great English-language ballads of the last 100 years or so) was "Ken." I had an epiphany, I was physically struck by this information. In an attempt to hold on to this feeling, I decided to lift the original title of that song and use it for my own purposes. It's unclear to me what that purpose is, or what the connection is. I was not thinking about Suede when making this record. I was thinking about the last few years of the Thatcher era. Those were the years when music first really came at me like a sickness, I had it bad. Maybe "The Wild Ones" speaks to that feeling, probably why Suede made no sense in America. I think "ken" also means "to know."”

Show up early to check out Brooklyn’s Mega Bog (aka Erin Birgy), touring in support of Happy Together (Nicey Music).
We caught the singer last year with Cate Le Bon and noted, “ Birgy was experiencing some discomforting toothache (asking if there was a doctor in the house to pull out one of her tooth...), but if she was in pain, she didn’t show it on stage.
Normally (especially on recorded albums), Mega Bog is more ‘saxy’-sounding, but unfortunately they didn’t have a live saxophonist on in the band. Musically, they sounded a little like Kate Bush with organic chimes and flutes.”

Typhoon ripped through One Eyed Jacks in the New Orleans French Quarter last Saturday (3/15/14) and unloaded a sonic storm on local eardrums. The eleven piece band from Portland, known for beautiful arrangements and radical …

Contemplative indie rockers Typhoon is touring in support of their new album Offerings (coming out January 12th via Roll Call Records). There’s still time left, but if you pre-order the album on their website, they will autograph it for you.

Political punk rock veterans Anti-Flag (not to be confused with Black Flag or White Flag) will be headlining the Amsterdam Bar & Hall in St Paul on Thursday.

These all-ages punk rock shows usually starts early and features a ton of bands… they include Stray From The Path, The White Noise, and Sharptooth.

Anti-Flag’s American Fall is out now on Spinefarm Records and their mission on this tour:

“The mission of the Trump regime has been clear from day one, the normalization of bigotry. Dangerous rhetoric has become dangerous policy that has put countless in harms way. It is the responsibility of all to be on the side of the marginalized and scapegoated and that is the goal of the aim of the Silence=Violence Tour.

“No longer can we allow people to sit on the sidelines in the fight for social and economic justice. Inaction makes you complicit. If oppressed people demanding space and dignity in our society is what is making you uncomfortable, perhaps it is because you are a bigot or fascist? We must spread empathy, not apathy. Our aim is to do that at every show we play across the US.”

After a two-year absent, Passion Pit returns to a new 2018 North American tour. We caught them a few years ago and wrote, “Singer Michael Angelakos’ trademark falsetto voice echo’d through the boomy stadium; he rarely standing still, bouncing end-to-end on a stage bathed in minimal blue lighting most of the evening. The dichotomy of Passion Pit’s songs is their sometimes dark themes presented in an energetic manner, fused with synth riffs and an undeniable urge to dance to them, and that was certainly the case for the most of the student body this night. Opening with ‘Make Light’ and seguing into ‘The Reeling’, that point was immediately proved.”

Sunday, 18 December 2016

More than a year has passed since Cambridge, MA-based Passion Pit’s breakthrough album, Gossamer (French Kiss Columbia Records) has been released and the indie pop band’s …

MERRY CHRISTMAS, MR FIELDS

Merry Christmas, Mr. Fields is the “video-album” and Original Soundtrack, created by Michael Angelakos (of Passion Pit), Brent Katz (formerly of Harlem Shakes), and director Hana Haley. The album is available now via AKH Productions and Frenchkiss Records.

AKH Productions will be donating all of the proceeds to charity, as well as the Nichols SchoolArts Department.

En attendant l'album
L.E.J.
Fantastic trio of friends who make music together - they have incredible voices and talent! Impressive range of musical style and ability - refreshing and fun!
…

L.E.J.Christmas Hors D’oeuvre

Classically-driven French pop trio L.E.J. (Elijay) just released their Christmas Hors D’oeuvre EP. L.E.J. consists of three childhood friends: Lucie, Elisa, and Juliette, all studied classical music and orchestration while attending conservatory in their native France together.

The trio added pop music with their classically trained sound on their En attendant l’album, following the the international success of the breakthrough online hit “Summer 2015.” L.E.J. opened up for Pharrell and sold 200,000 albums in less than three months.

Knox Hamilton, with help from Team Coco, recently premiered their Beach Boys cover song ‘The Man With All The Toys’.

When asked why, singer Boots Copeland said, “We always felt that The Beach Boys Christmas (1964) album deserves more recognition than it gets, so we figured what better band to carry the torch than Knox Hamilton.”

Of course, the Knox Hamilton cover will feature their falsetto-singing and harmony vocals.

More than a year has passed since Cambridge, MA-based Passion Pit’s breakthrough album, Gossamer (French Kiss Columbia Records) has been released and the indie pop band’s …

Playing in the metro area again for no less than the fourth time in less than a year, Passion Pit took a walk. In this case, it was a stadium-sized, victory lap of a walk.

The Cambridge, MA quintet played to a raucous and appreciative crowd Friday night at TCF Bank Stadium, as a part of the U of MN Homecoming weekend celebrations. From two sold out nights at First Avenue, to an outdoor stage at Summer Set, the jump to a stadium venue seemed disproportionally large, but the massive stadium’s seating was shaved to ten sections on the home field side, with the stage positioned on the field directly across for a still-impressive sold out crowd of 9,781.

HOODIE ALLEN

Hoodie Allen's Setlist

NYC indie rapper Hoodie Allen got the festivities started with an energetic 40 min. set, playing to a crowd that was clearly his fanbase. Starting with ‘Fame’, a recent collaboration with Chiddy Bang, the 25 year-old rapper got everyone moving immediately concentrating mostly on tracks from his most recent self-released full-length, All American, mashing up songs and keeping the set momentum moving (even U mascot Goldy Gopher jumped on stage to join in).

Following a slightly longer than planned break, Passion Pit took the stage for a 55 min. set of indie, keyboard-based dance electro-pop. The band is definitely still riding high from last year’s sophomore breakout album Gossamer (French Kiss / Columbia) and also had a released a companion piece, Constant Conversations EP earlier in the week digitally.

Michael Angelakos

Passion Pit's Setlist

Singer Michael Angelakos’ trademark falsetto voice echo’d through the boomy stadium; he rarely standing still, bouncing end-to-end on a stage bathed in minimal blue lighting most of the evening. The dichotomy of Passion Pit’s songs is their sometimes dark themes presented in an energetic manner, fused with synth riffs and an undeniable urge to dance to them, and that was certainly the case for the most of the student body this night. Opening with ‘Make Light’ and seguing into ‘The Reeling’, that point was immediately proved.

Not a lot was said between songs, though it was obvious the band was awed and genuinely thrilled to be playing the large venue. The crowd reserved its loudest receptions for radio hits like ‘Sleepyhead’, ‘Take a Walk’ (with crowd call-and-response during the choruses) and the encore, ‘Little Secrets’, though the slowed-tempo ‘Constant Conversations’ was also received well.

The acoustics were typical for a large outdoor venue – just plain loud up front and slightly echo-y and open from the upper decks, but eminently listenable, not that the "we’re-here-to-party" crowd seemed to distinguish. Now in its 3rd year (Kid Cudi-2011, Atmosphere-2012), the annual Homecoming concert is a welcome tradition and this year, smartly booked a well-loved band right as it breaks into the mainstream.

Thursday, 26 September 2013

when Passion Pit came on stage they were very well received. They started out with “Take a Walk,” then went right into “The Reeling.” This took the crowd by surprise and they went ballistic …

More than a year has passed since Cambridge, MA-based Passion Pit’s breakthrough album, Gossamer (French Kiss Columbia Records) has been released and the indie pop band’s momentum keeps building to greater heights. A companion EP, Constant Conversations, was released earlier this week via Spotify, and their ever-continuing tour lands them in Minneapolis’ TCF Bank Stadium this Friday night.

Normally a venue for monster acts like U2, the venue will host the band, along with opening act NYC hip-hop artist Hoodie Allen. The undoubtedly festive Homecoming Weekend concert takes place before the University of Minnesota’s football team takes on Iowa on the same field, the following day.

The lead single from Gossamer, the catchy “Take a Walk”, used in a Taco Bell ad and still receiving regular airplay, launched the band into the mainstream, with successful previous local appearances in a sold-out Mainroom at First Avenue and a raucous set at this August’s Summer Set Festival.

Tuesday, 16 July 2013

Koo Koo Kanga Roo was, as usual, a riot. I don't think I've ever been to a show with so many children, but it's perfect for the music of Koo Koo Kanga Roo. Helping them dance were two helpers, one dressed ...

Koo Koo Kanga Roo, the fun children music dance duo from Minneapolis will be heading out on tour in October with Frank Turner and The Smith Street Band.

Their new single is called "Cat Party", purrfect for their appearance at the Internet Cat Video Festival 2013 on August 28th (yes, this will feature Grumpy Cat and Lil Bub). Last year, 10,000 people showed up for the first Cat Video Festival, so expect the same, if not more, attendance this year.

Anyway, the "Cat Party" song is taken from Koo Koo's EP called VIRAL: Songs About Cats and Stuff, which is out in association with the Walker Art Center.

Overall it was an amazing show, P Pit really knows how to put on a show and they sure picked winners with Youngblood Hawke. High energy all night with these guys. So if they are stopping by your town and it hasn’t sold out ...

Wildcat! Wildcat! is just one of the hundred of bands in the Taco Bell's Feed the Beat lineup. The program, which started in 2009, help young bands by promoting their music in various showcases (as seen at last year's SXSW) or providing them with gift cards ($500), and I am assuming free Taco Bell food.

Jesse Taylor, lead singer of Wildcat! Wildcat! had this to say about Feed the Beat:
"We love how Feed the Beat paired a well-recognized band from a major label with a new band from an independent label to show contrasting experiences at SXSW. The concept of the film and that Sam Jones is the director is truly indicative of how in tune Taco Bell is with today's musical culture. We’re excited to be a part of the new Feed the Beat lineup."

Taylor is referring to the documentary, or rather the rockumentary film from Sam Jones featuring Passion Pit and Wildcat! Wildcat! at SXSW.

Passion Pit took the stage to much acclaim and the occasional fangirl squeal (mostly directed to oh-so-dreamy keyboardist, Ian Hultquist). The first song, “Make …

At First Ave. on the 30th for LA based pop quintet Youngblood Hawke. This was the 2nd sold out day they opened for Passion Pit in Minneapolis.

HOLLERADO

photo by Steph Paxton

I walked in as the always hyper Hollerado was hitting the stage. I saw them awhile back when they opened for Free Energy at the 400 Bar. It was a similar high energy performance. The thing is as with any opener, it’s hard to play for an audience that may not have heard of you before or because they are mainly there for the headliner. Hollerado definitely tried their best. They talked a lot more than the last time I saw them. Maybe a little too much. They also tried some stage tricks like spitting beer up in the air in unison. Anyway, I saw some people get into it. Although in my opinion playing all ages shows is easier for a band. Younger folks are easier to impress. . .

Next up was Youngblood Hawke. I had never heard of them before last month but I dug their single “We Come Running.” That song specifically reminded me of Passion Pit’s newest, maximalist album. Their set was actually very full force, like their single, they started strong and finished strong. On the first song the lead singer had broken a drum stick he was bashing on his single tom. Those guys were really having a blast. In the first few songs, two drumsticks and a snare were broken. The only time they took to have a bit of a break was when they covered Notorious B.I.G.’s “Juicy.” Which even then, it was still a very feel good vibe. Quite a bit of the audience knew who they were, and were singing along joyfully to the lead single “We Come Running.” They definitely did a bit of genre bending during their set. Some of their songs sounded like throwback rock and roll anthems that were very, very glossed out, and some were pop to the max. Overall I was very impressed, I’d definitely like to check these guys out in a headlining gig.

PASSION PIT

photo by Steph Paxton

Youngblood Hawke did a good job at ramping the audience up, and when Passion Pit came on stage they were very well received. They started out with “Take a Walk,” then went right into “The Reeling.” This took the crowd by surprise and they went ballistic in response. The pit was so crowded that I couldn’t tell people apart, just arms and heads, all pulsing up, down, left, and right. That was definitely a “passion pit” if I’ve ever seen one. From then on the show was just phenomenal. The crowd ate up every song, and they sang along to everything they could. Michael even stopped a few times to thank his fans. That it meant a lot to him that they weren’t on their iPhones and snapping pics the whole time. He made it clear he had no problems with recordings or photos; it was just flattering to have such a dedicated audience. They closed the set with “Sleepyhead,” which almost caused a riot in the crowd. Then they came back and gave a wonderful two piece encore of “Moth’s Wings” and “Little Secrets.” The latter of which even I was even being hysterical about.

Overall it was an amazing show, P Pit really knows how to put on a show and they sure picked winners with Youngblood Hawke. High energy all night with these guys. So if they are stopping by your town and it hasn’t sold out, don’t wait any longer, grab a ticket!!! Or get it off someone who isn’t going.

Monday, 15 October 2012

Norway's Young Dreams are releasing their first single, "Fog Of War", off their forthcoming debut album, due in early 2013. You can grab the free download at Pitchfork. The "Fog of War" single will be available digitally this week; the USA market will get it tomorrow, October 16th.

Matias Tellez from Young Dreams, explained the song (even though he doesn't like telling people what a song is about): "If I have to say something about "Fog of War" it would be that it's about not seeing clearly what's happening on the other side. It creates a need for help in a desperate situation - hence "Fog of War" and the cry for help from Athena (Athene) who is the goddess of wisdom, courage and inspiration in Greek mythology."

The band is heading out to tour Europe with their label-mates Tame Impala.

Youngblood Hawke is a 5 piece indie-pop band from Los Angeles. They bring a sound that is very energetic and wild. They are currently tour mates to Passion Pit which they are akin to in many aspects, sonically. The band is following Passion Pit on tour to promote their fabulous self titled EP. Their full length album should be ready early next year. If you want to check these very hip and happening dudes out, you can do so by going to Soundcloud and stream the EP and the very hot new single, “We Come Running.” Don’t miss out on their amazing live show with Passion Pit, it’s going to be a dance-tastic night!

In terms of concert geography, Houston is screwed. Most bands do the obligatory show in Austin and often stop by Dallas but few deign to swing by polluted, artery-clogged Houston. But when they do stop by, bands often find themselves overwhelmed with enthusiasm, as the musically-deprived audience is simply grateful they are not another Selena cover band. Such was the case with Passion Pit and the Harlem Shakes.

Harlem Shakes at Warehouse, Houston (6/4/09)

The two bands seemed like appropriate tourmates since they had gained steady momentum through blogs, well-received EPs, and incessant shows up and down the east coast. Not to mention they both looked like walking advertisements for the Salvation Army (as most bands do).

The Harlem Shakes provided just the right amount of pep to wake up the somewhat restless crowd. Starting with the gradual building “TFO,” they soon moved on to fan favorites like “Nothing But Change Pt. II” and “Sunlight.” Lead singer, Lexy Benaim, occasionally offered sleepy commentary between songs, but for the most part, stuck strictly to singing. The audience caught on quickly to all the “oohs” and “ahs” in their songs and a haphazard sing-a-long could be deciphered every once in a while. As a self-proclaimed cynic when it comes to opening bands (I’ve suffered through way too many My Bloody Valentine disciples), I was impressed.

Passion Pit took the stage to much acclaim and the occasional fangirl squeal (mostly directed to oh-so-dreamy keyboardist, Ian Hultquist). The first song, “Make Light,” reduced the audience to a sweaty mass of frenzied dancing. Aside from their debut album, Manners, the band played a few songs from their fan-favorite Chunk of Change EP, such as “Better Things” and “I’ve Got Your Number.”

I’ve heard a few people criticize lead singer Michael Angelakos’ voice, (Pitchfork lovingly called it “half-eunuch/half-Jeremy Enigk”), but there were no complaints that night, as the arsenal of synthesizers and keyboards seemed to balance everything out. Highlights of the night included “Little Secrets” and “Moth Wings,” as their infectious hooks allowed for plenty of audience participation. Requests for their runaway hit, “Sleepyhead” were heard throughout the night, and when the band finally acquiesced, the audience went –for lack of a better word—apeshit.

For the encore, the band returned with their single, “The Reeling,” another song featuring a catchy chorus sung by a children’s choir, much to the crowd’s delight. By the end of the night, the band seemed genuinely surprised by the Houston audience’s uninhibited gusto. I suppose they weren’t expecting much from a venue situated between a Chinese restaurant and an empty lot.